Most people will agree that the three most important factors in determining the success of any particular restaurant are: location, followed closely by location and then last, but certainly not least, location.

I was reminded of this business mantra after I made my second wrong turn while trying to find Kimera in Irvine.

It has a Jamboree Road address, and you can see it from that busy thoroughfare, but the entrance is off the main drag in the middle of an office complex.

After I finally got my bearings straight, I sat down with manager Bryan Bradford and asked why anyone would open a $4 million restaurant in the shadow of an office building?

"The owners like opening restaurants in office buildings," he said without a hint of irony. "They opened Bistango in an office building 20 years ago and that has worked out quite well."

Ah, Kimera is owned by the Bistango people. Now I understand the logic.

These are people who don't necessarily abide by the location, location, location philosophy. These rebels believe that if you're worth finding, people will make the extra effort to find you.

And Kimera is worth the effort.

Open just two years, the restaurant and lounge combine a "global fusion" cuisine with a cool lounge vibe enhanced by an emphasis on art.

The artwork is ubiquitous, and the bamboo ceilings add a touch of the exotic. Rather than be confined to a set happy-hour schedule, they've decided to offer 45 appetizers, salads and pizzas at a reduced rate all night. There also are drink specials.

"We wanted to create a high-end place without the high-end prices," Bradford explained.

Although a DJ spins on Friday and Saturday nights, Bradford insisted that Kimera is not a nightclub, but a lounge and restaurant with a club feel.

The trick is to find it the first time. I asked a threesome sitting in a booth how they discovered the place, and they laughed and said they "stumbled upon it." I know how they feel.

It looks like the start of a really big night for Maya Le and Mike Krug, but we're just guessing. BARRY KOLTNOW, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Say hello to Summer, Brianna and Jodi ... and then order a drink. BARRY KOLTNOW, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
They bet that I wouldn't run this photo of them in sunglasses. They lost. BARRY KOLTNOW, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
These friends were engrossed in a serious discussion, but stopped long enough to smile for us. BARRY KOLTNOW, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Pizza, anyone? BARRY KOLTNOW, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
We asked these co-workers how far away they worked from the restaurant. They pointed upward. Keep clicking. BARRY KOLTNOW, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
This is the office building that overlooks the Kimera patio. Those folks in the previous photo work in the blue building. How cool is that? BARRY KOLTNOW, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Karen is less tall than Bonita, but both bartenders offer big drinks. BARRY KOLTNOW, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
This is Matt and Janey about 12 hours before their wedding. They now share a last name. It's Presti. BARRY KOLTNOW, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The three guys are New Yorkers, in town for the Presti wedding. Their friend is also from New York, but she lives here now. We didn't ask if she rooted for the Angels or Yankees. BARRY KOLTNOW, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Lamb chops ... a rare treat BARRY KOLTNOW, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Chicagoan Jeff Templeton, at left, was visiting his daughter-in-law Stephanie and son Andy. BARRY KOLTNOW, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Troy Gale was visiting from Arizona, and his friends Marta Aguilar, center, and Stephanie Riner said they just "stumbled upon" Kimera one night, and have been frequenting the place ever since. BARRY KOLTNOW, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Digging into the lower-priced appetizers at the bar are, from left, Rose Chavez, Gina Davis and Rob Rojano. BARRY KOLTNOW, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Dr. Nicholas DiPatrizio, left, and Emmanuel Dotsey live and work in the neighborhood. BARRY KOLTNOW, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Constance Esposito, at right, was helping her friend Barbara Helton celebrate her brithday. BARRY KOLTNOW, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
I'm not a big beet guy but this roasted beet appetizer with goat cheese and toasted walnuts might convert me. BARRY KOLTNOW, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Artwork is everywhere, and an Italian artist was commissioned to design this wall between the lounge and the dining room. BARRY KOLTNOW, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Summer and Brianna present a masterpiece ... outside the restroom. BARRY KOLTNOW, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
My Lamborghini was parked outside. Hey, a guy can dream. BARRY KOLTNOW, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Nina and Mariah will show you to your seat because that's what they do. BARRY KOLTNOW, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Artwork and bamboo make an interesting mix in Kimera's lounge. BARRY KOLTNOW, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The Clarks recently threw a big party at Kimera. They really like the place. BARRY KOLTNOW, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Manager Bryan Bradford, at left, offers a bottle of vino to customers at the restaurant's new wine bar. BARRY KOLTNOW, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
These couples chose the sofas by the window. BARRY KOLTNOW, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Hmmmm ... more pizza. BARRY KOLTNOW, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Arnold Frankenberger and Senait Hailu were just hanging out on a sofa. BARRY KOLTNOW, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Enter the fun zone ... BARRY KOLTNOW, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
This is the sign along Jamboree. The entrance is on the other side of the building. BARRY KOLTNOW, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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